Rotary engine.



No. 635,849. Patented Oct. 3|, I899,

c. v. FITE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application filed July 80, 1898.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I..

Wifgzssgs 1930,9101;

@Afiwrnzys,

Pa tented Oct. 3|, I899.

0. v. FITE. ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application filed July 80, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

Wiigzssz-s No. 635,849. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. A

. c. v. FITE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

plication filed July 80, 1898 Nrrgn STATES PATENT ,rnren.

OEPHAS V. FITE, OF MOUNTHOLLY, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOROBERT H. STOWVE, OF SAME PLACE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,849, dated October31, 1899. Application filed July 30, 1898. Serial No. 687,288. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LCEPHAS V. FITE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mount Holly, in the county of Gaston and State of NorthCarolina, have invented a new and useful Rotary Engine, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary engines; and it has for its object toeffect certain improvementsin engines of this type, especially in thepacking of the various parts thereof and in the means for controllingthe inlet and exhaust of steam, whereby a maximum amount of steam andpower can be obtained. To this end the invention primarily contemplatesan improved arrangement of valves and means for operating the same,whereby the engine can be readily controlled and reversed, and alsoimproved devices for insur- 2o ing the proper steam-tight fit of themain.

Working parts of the engine, thereby securing the full expansive powerof the steam without loss of the same by leakage.

lVith these and other objects in view, which 2 5 will readily appear asthe nature of the invention. is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction, combination, and arrangement of partshereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

0 In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary engineembodying the improvements contemplated by the present invention. Fig. 2is a vertical sectional view of the engine in a plane parallel with theaxis 5 of rotation. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view onthe line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail elevation and edge View ofone of the circular supporting-plates fitted to the inner side walls ofthe piston-charnber. Fig.

5 is a similar detail view of one of the laterally-movable endpacking-strips for the piston-wing. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of thesingle transverse packing-strip of the pistonwing. Fig. 7 is a detailelevation of one of the spacing-rings fitted to the inner side walls ofthe piston-chamber.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates'thecasing,'essentially comprising the cylindrical shell or rim 5-0 2,inclosed at its opposite sides by the cylinder-heads 3, securely boltedor otherwise suitably fastened in place to form the complete casing orcylinder, it of course being understood in the art that the termcylinder applies to the casing which houses the rotating piston and theother working parts of the engine, and this cylinder is provided at itslower side with the usual base 4 for securing the same on a suitable bedor foundation.

In the present invention the cylinder or cas- 6o ing 1 is interiorlybored to form the circular piston-chamber 5 and a smallersimilarlyshaped abutment-chamber 6, offset from the piston-chamber 5 inthe same vertical plane as the latter and opening directly therein toprovide for properly positioning the abutment, hereinafter to be moreparticularly referred to. The circular piston-chamber 5 ac-' commodatesfor movement therein the concentric rotary piston 7, mounted fast on thedrive-shaft 8, journaled in suitable bearings at the sides of thecylinderor casing and carrying the usual belt wheel or pulley fortransmitting motion to the machinery which is to be driven from theengine. To provide for properly packing the end faces of the rotatingpiston, the latter is made shorter in length than the width of thepiston-chamber 5, and to compensate for this the cylinder or casing hasfitted to theiopposite inner side walls of the piston -chamber theoppositely-located spacing-rings 9, preferably held tight against thecylinder-heads by the securing bolts or screws 10 passing therethroughand engaging the said rings. The spacing-rings 9 are out awaysegmentally at their upper edges, as at 11, to conform with the'circleof the abutment-chamber 6, as plainlyillustrated in Figs.

3 and '7 of the drawings,'and the ends of the rotating piston 7 registerand work within the 0 said spacing-rings 9, which, therefore, also serveto assist in packing the end portions of the piston.

The end faces of the rotating piston 7, at the peripheral edges thereof,which project 5 within the rings 9, are arranged to work in contact withthe packing-rings 11, interposed between the ends of the piston and theheads of the cylinder, and said pacl'iing-rings are yieldingly held insteam-tight contact with the peripheral end edges of the piston bymeansof suitable pressure-springs 12, ar-

ranged at different points and seated in spring-sockets 13, formed atthe inner sides of the cylinder-heads, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 2of the drawings. The spring-pressed packing-rings 11 are provided attheir inner edges with the inner peripheral flanges 14, which looselyfit within the peripheral rabbets 15, annularly formed in the outerperipheries of the circular supporting-plates 16, which are bolted orsimilarly fastened to the opposite inner side walls of thepiston-chamber within the circle of the spacing-rings 9 and also withinthe circle of the peripheral end flanges 7 of the piston formed by therecessing of the ends of the latter, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.The circular supporting plates 16 at the opposite inner side walls ofthe piston-chamber 5 therefore provide for properly sustaining orsupporting the packifig-rings 11 in position,while at the same timepermitting said rings to be freely adjusted toward and against the endsof the piston under the influence of the pressure-springs 12, and inaddition to the exterior peripheral rabbets 15 the saidsupporting-plates 16 are provided in their inner faces next to the endsof the piston with the annular channels or grooves 17, which produce theannular retaining-ribs 18 at the inner peripheral edges of said platesand the function of which retaining-ribs will be presently referred to.

The steam which is admitted within the circular piston-chamber 5 of thecylinder exerts its pressure against the piston-wing 19, projectedradially from the periphery of the rotating piston 7 and traveling inclose proximity to the circular wall of the said chamber 5, and in thepresent invention the said pistonwing is provided in its outer edge withthe transverse packing groove or recess 20 and at its end edges with theradially-extending end packing-recesses 21, which are extended at theirinner ends, as at 22, into the body of the piston 7. The transversepacking groove or recess 20 in the outer edge of the pistonwing .19loosely accommodates therein the single transverse packing strip 23,whose outer edgeis normally held in steam-tight contact with thecircular wall of the chamber 5 under the influence of pressure-springs24, seated in sockets 25, formed in the pistonwing 19 at the base of thegroove 20, said springs bearing against the inner edge of the saidpacking-plate 23. As the piston-wing approaches the abutment, to bereferred to, and enters such abutment, it is necessary that the outwardmovement of the packing strip or plate 23 be limited, which ispreferably effected through the medium of a pin-and-slot connection 2627 between said strip or plate and the piston-wing, the pin 26 beingfitted in the piston-wing and the slot 27 being formed transversely ofthe strip 23 ata point intermediate its ends.

Atits opposite ends the transverse packingstrip 23, in the outer edge ofthe piston-wing, is provided with the longitudinally-disposed slots 28,which loosely interlock with lockingtongues 29, formed'transversely ofthe end packing-strips 30, near one end of the latter. The endpacking-strips 30 are loosely seated in the radially-extending endpacking-recesses 21 of the piston-wing and are recessed or rabbeted attheir ends, having the lockingtongues 29, so as to overlap the slottedends of the strip 23, and at their opposite ends the said endpacking-strips 30 are formed with lateral extensions 31, having thereinguidenotches 32, disposed transversely of the strips and receivingtherein the annular retainingribs 18 at the inner peripheral edges ofthe supporting-plates 16,the interlocking engagement of the ribs 18 withthe notches 32 of the strips 30 preventing said strips from moving in alongitudinal direction, and therebyjumping out of place when thepiston-wing enters the notch of the rotating abutment. The said endpacking-strips 30 are held in steam-tight contact with the inner facesof the spacingrings 9 and with the packingrings 11 by means of thepressure-springs 33 hearing against the inner edges of the strips andseated in suitable sockets formed in the piston-wing, as plainlyillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and in addition to these springs33 there may be also employed supplemental packing 34, interposedbetween theinner edges of the strips 30 and the bases of the recesses 21receiving such strips.

The rotating abutment referred to is designated by the numeral 35, andthis abutment registers and rotates within the circular abut-.ment-chamber 6, being mounted on an abutment-shaft 36, journaled insuitable bearings at the sides of the cylinder and having a gearwheelconnection 37 with the piston or drive shaft 8, the two gear-wheels ofsaid gear-wheel connection being of the same size to insure asynchronous movement of the piston and the abutment. The said abutment35 is provided in its periphery with a single longitudinally disposednotch 38, through which passes the piston-wing 19 in the usual manner,and this abutment-notch 38 is inclosed at its ends by the circular endheads 39, secured to the ends of the abutment.

A proper packing of the ends of the rotating abutment is effected bymeans of the IIO packing-rings 40, which are yieldingly held insteam-tight contact with the peripheral end edges of the abutment, or atleast the heads thereof, through the medium of suitable pressure-springs41, seated in sockets formed in the opposite side walls of theabutment-chamber 6, and the said packing-rings 40, which are interposedbetween the ends of the abutment and the adjacent walls of the cylinderor casing, are provided with inner peripheral flanges 42, looselyfitting in the exterior peripheral rabbets 43, formed in the peripheriesof the circular supporting-plates 44, bolted or similarly fastened tothe opposite inner side walls of the chamber receiving the abutment,said supporting-plates 44 providing for the proper support of the rings40, while at the same time permitting the springs 41 to freely act uponthe same. The said packingrings for the ends of the rotating abutment 35peripherally contact with the corresponding packing-rings 11 for theends of the rotating piston, and at the points of contact between therings 40 and 11 is arranged suitable packing45, held firmly in contactwith the outer faces of the contacting rings by means of afollower-plate 46, adjusted by the set-screws 47, mounted in the headsof the cylinder, said packing and the followers 46 being arranged insuitable cavities or recesses formed in the inner sides of thecylinder-heads, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The circular wall of the abutment-chamber 6 has formed therein atsuitable points transverse packing-grooves 48, extending from side toside of the cylinder and having fitted therein suitable packing-strips49, which normally press firmly against the periphery of the rotatingabutment and form a steam-tight packing therefor, and by reason offitting the ends of the abutment with the heads 39 said heads serve tohold said packing 49 in place when the abutment-notch 38 comes oppositethe same, as will be readily understood.

The peripheries of the synchronously-rd tating piston and abutmentcontact to provide a proper abutment for the steam, and at oppositesides of the plane of contact between these two members the cylinder ispierced by the oppositely-located steam-ports 50, which communicate withcircular valve-chambers 51, communicating with a common live-steamchamber 51, formed within the top portion of the cylinder and adapted toreceive a supply of live steam through the live steamsupply pipe 51fitted in the cylinder, at the top thereof. The said oppositely locatedvalve-chambers 51 have mounted therein the rotary segmental cut-01fvalves 52,Which work over the outer ends of the steam-ports and arecarried by valve-shafts 53, journaled in the cylinder and connected atone end, by means of suitable gearing 54, with the abutment shaft, so asto move synchronously therewith and provide for automatically cuttingoff the supply of live steam at the proper moment during the operationof the engine, and in conjunction with these valves 52 there areemployed the oscillatory auxiliary cut-off cocks 55. The cut-oft cocks55 are arranged to work in suitable bearings 56, intersected by thesteam-ports 50 and alsocommunicating with exhaust-passages 57, whichlead to suitable exhaust-pipe connections 58. The said cut-off cocks 55are provided with solid portions 59, which are adapted to cover anduncover the exhaust-passages 57 and also the steam-ports 50, and saidcocks have attached to their stems (at one end) the oscillating links60, pivotally connected by a connecting-rod 61, having a pin-and-slotconnection 62 with the lower end of a controlling-lever 63. Thiscontrolling-lever 63 is provided intermediate its ends with abearing-yoke 64, pivotally supported at one side of the cylinder, andalso carries a latch 65,'cooperating with a notched segment-bar 66,fastened on top of the cylinder and providing means for holding thelever 63 locked in its adjusted position. By throwing the lever 63'toits limit of movement'in one direction one of the cocks 55 will open upcommunication through one of the steam-ports 50, while the opposite cockwill close communication through the other port 50 and open up theexhaust-passage 57 at this point. The throw of the lever 63 to anopposite position will necessarily reverse the positions of the cooks50, and thereby provide for reversing the rotation of the piston, it ofcourse being understood that the cooks 55 are set in reverse positionsand provide for the operation described.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of constructionmay be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having communicating piston andabutment chambers, the rotating piston, a rotating abutment cooperatingwith the piston, supporting-plates fitted to the opposite inner sidewalls of both the piston and the abutment chambers, the saidsupporting-plates being duplicates and each provided with an exteriorperipheral r'abbet, packing rings having peripheral flanges projectinginto and slidably working within the peripheral rabbets of thesupporting-plates, and means for yieldingly holding the packing-rings incontact with the end edges of the piston and of the abutment,substantially as set forth.

2. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having communicating piston andabutment chambers, a rotating piston, a rotating abutment cooperatingwith the piston, packing-rings supported in contact with the peripheralend edges of the piston and the abutment, the packing-rings at each endof the piston and the abutment being vertically alined and in peripheralcontact, and packing held against the adjoining packingrings andspanning the joint at their points of contact, substantially as setforth.

3. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having communicating circular pistonand abutment chambers, a rotating piston arrangedwithin thepiston-chamber and having a piston-wing, the rotating abutment mountedwithin the abutment-chamber and having a peripheral notch or recess forsaid piston-wing, supporting-plat-es fitted to the opposite inner sidewalls of the piston-chamber and the abutment-chamber, packing-ringsslidably engaging with the peripheries of the supporting-plates andyieldingly held in contact with the contiguous peripheral end edges ofthe piston and of the abutment, the packingrings at each end of thepiston and the abutment being vertically alined and in peripheralcontact, and adjustable packing held against the outer faces of theadjoining vertically-alined packing-rings, at their points of contact,substantially as set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the cylinder, a rotating piston having a pistonwing, a single transverse packing-strip loosely fitted to the outer edgeof the piston-ring, end packingstrips loosely fitted to the end edges ofthe wing and having their outer ends lapping the ends of the transversestrip and loosely interlocked therewith, the inner ends of said endpacking-strips sliding upon and having a positive interlockingengagement with the contiguous side portions of the cylinder, saidinterlocking engagement of the end packingstrips with the side portionsof the cylinder preventing longitudinal displacement of the said strips,and a rotating abutment cooperating with the piston, substantially asset forth.

5. In a rotary engine, the cylinder, a rotating piston having apiston-wing, plates fitted to the opposite inner side Walls of thepistonchamber, and provided at their inner peripheral edges with annularretaining-ribs, a single transverse packing stri p fitted in the outeredge of the wing, end packingstrips fitted in the end edges of the wingand having an interlocking tongue-and-slot connection with the ends ofthe transverse strip, and also having notches at their inner ends whichreceive and slide upon the retainingribs of said plates, means fornormally pressing all of said strips outwardly, and a rotating abutmentcooperating with said piston, substantially as set forth.

6. In a rotary engine, the cylinder having communicating piston andabutment chambers, oppositely-located valve-chambers, a commonlive-steam chamber communicating with both of said valve-chambers, andoppositely-located steam-ports opening into the valve-chambers and apiston-chamber and having exhaust-passage connections therewith, therotating piston having a pistonwing, the rotating abutment cooperatingwith the piston and its wing, suitably-rotated out 01f valves workingwithin the valve-cl1ambers and arranged to cover and uncover thesteamports communicating therewith, oscillatory auxiliary cut-ofif cocksmounted in bearings intersected by the steam-ports and the communicatingexhaust passages, oscillating links connected to the stems of saidcocks, a connecting-rod pivotally connected to the two links, and acontrolling-lever having a pinand-slot connection with theconnecting-rod to provide for the adjustmentof said cocks in unison,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CEPHAS V. FITE.

Witnesses:

CHASE BRENIZER, P. M. THOMPSON.

